Meh, I dunno. you're comparing established veterans to a guy going for his second contract. It makes more sense to compare Read to Voracek or Simmonds (RFA status-be-damned) than to Pronger or Bryzgalov.

Timonen came in a bit high, but, again, he had a much, much longer track record.

Yes, but they were all UFA's. He usually over pays for players that hit or will hit the open market.

EDIT: No but if Homer gave that contract to him, we would all force him out of office. Tampa Bay were fools, even Homer saw that.

When he is giving out contracts though to UFA's, he generally over pays.